Pageantry and protest

[L to R. Bath’s new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ian Halsall, pictured with our new Mayor, Councillor Professor Bharat Pankhania – the 798th person to hold that title]

A rare day of pageantry in Bath – and thankfully a dry window – amid the deluge that pretty much washed Saturday away – for a parade of faux-fur robes and maces.

It’s the annual Mayor Making Day when last year’s ‘First Citizen’ swaps places with the next person to hold ‘high office’ in a rather drawn-out ceremony at Bath Abbey.

Let me explain, it’s the annual meeting of the Charter Trustees – the name adopted by city ward councillors who have the onerous duty of looking after the several royal charters our World Heritage city has been granted over the centuries.

They also have the job, once a year, of selecting a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor from their midst.

It’s an honorary, non-political title with no real powers. However, he or she does represent all of us city-dwellers with a weekly diary of events throughout their year in office.

I’ve covered the event for many years. Though l have never found my name on a “Reserved” seat.

Not that l would sit for long on it. You have to move around to try and get the best shots.

Always nice to meet up with my friend, professional Mirror Group photographer Paul Gillis, who’s there to capture it all for the Mayor’s Office.

As ceremonies go, it does go on a bit. Lots of speeches and ‘votes of thanks’ but this year’s event involved laying down history on history, as l found myself listening to the first newly-elected mayor’s speech of REAL note.

Taking up the ‘chain of office’ was councillor Professor Bharat Pankhania – the first Indian to do so in a mayoralty that stretches back to the 12th century!

He’s also an academic – a senior consultant in communicable disease control and an expert in infectious diseases. He was a leading figure and public guide during the COVID pandemic.

Bharat has been a Liberal Democrat councillor for Combe Down since 2019 and was the city’s Deputy Mayor in 2023.

Standing in a side aisle, with no nearby speaker to help hear what is going on, I tend to find my mind wandering a bit during proceedings, but this man’s acceptance speech quickly focused my faculties.

Not only intelligent and all-embracing, it’s the closest to a political speech l have heard a new mayor come!

I did not have the means to record it, but Cllr Bharat recently responded to an item l did about the upcoming Mayor Making event, and l think l will reproduce it here.

When things settle down, I am going to ask him for a one-on-one interview and discover a little more about this man and his mission. I sense a forthcoming year with a difference.

Here’s what he sent me:

1. “As I take on the honour of serving as mayor of our beautiful World Heritage City of Bath. It is a privilege I embrace with humility, pride, and a commitment to excellence.
2. The ceremony will begin with a significant first for Bath – a humanist celebrant. I believe in embracing people of all faiths and none.
3. In appointing a humanist to serve as “my chaplain”, I hope to reflect this inclusive spirit throughout the year.
4. Education has been the cornerstone of my life. It is liberation, it is power, it is freedom. Lifelong learning, to me, is the true elixir of life.
5. Tragically, too many talented individuals are unable to reach their full potential due to barriers beyond their control.
6. My theme for the mayoral year will therefore be “Empowerment Through Education” — a cause close to my heart.
7. I have already begun conversations with senior leaders from the University of Exeter (my own university), the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, and my alma mater, Cardiff University.
8. I would like our universities and other higher education establishments, and not forgetting our wonderful Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute, to play an even more active role in the empowerment of, especially our younger generation, especially for those who feel excluded or intimidated by the very word “higher education” or “university.”
9. Bath has shown that diversity and inclusion are among our greatest strengths. As mayor, I intend to build upon this proud legacy and ensure that every voice is valued.”
10. Towards the end of the event, we experienced a bit of a distraction from outside. At first l thought it was thunder, but soon realised we had the grim realities of life elsewhere in our fractured world bleeding through into our ceremonial event.
11. A well-attended and drum-beating gathering of protestors demonstrating against the atrocities being experienced daily by the Palestinians in Gaza.

After the event, with friends, we met up at the Coeur de Lion in Northumberland Place, where the outside awning saved us from the worst of the weather.

Plus, thanks to Rosario, who popped around from his next-door cafe to give us some slices of cake. We’d tried to eat in his worthy establishment, but there was not a seat to be taken!